Ready, Set, Satire! Krewe du Vieux and krewedelusion

Jan 15, 2016

Many Mardi Gras parades happen Uptown, but one of our favorites – Krewe du Vieux – kicks off in the French Quarter and parades all through downtown. This means, of course, that it’s deliciously close to our hotel. The Krewe du Vieux parade is all about satire, and while some of its adult themes are enough to make you blush (the theme this year is XXX, if that’s any hint), we can still share the basics of this raunchy krewe. Don’t miss their parade on January 23 at 6:00 p.m. – and be sure to grab a drink at the Carousel Bar beforehand for a little liquid courage.

A float from Krewe du Vieux. (Photo: Paul Broussard)

Krewe du Vieux

Krewe du Vieux is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and is truly going all out for the occasion. They’ve chosen bounce artist (and resident New Orleans queen diva) Big Freedia as its monarch. The krewe is comprised of 17 sub-krewes, all of whom provide scathing satire of subjects like the government and pop culture. Unlike other parades with predictable throws like beads or cups, Krewe du Vieux prefers an element of surprise. Last year’s throws included plastic cockroaches and NSFW temporary tattoos – all in good fun, of course! Although the route isn’t yet finalized, sources say the krewe will start in the Marigny and parade through the French Quarter and Central Business District. The parade culminates in a ball (featuring performer Walter “Wolfman” Washington) at the Civic Theater at 9 p.m. – you can purchase tickets for $40 online or at the Louisiana Music Factory on famed Frenchmen Street, a short walk from our hotel.

Details on the krewedelusion Bedlam Ball.

Lagniappe: Krewedelusion

Krewedelusion is another satirical krewe, so their position directly following Krewe du Vieux makes perfect sense! Delusion keeps its theme a secret until the day of the parade, but you can bet that lampooning of topics like politics will be part of the show. This year marks Delusion’s 7th parade and culminates in a ball, called “The Bedlam Ball,” featuring Tank and the Bangas. The ball takes place at 9 p.m. Café Istanbul in St. Claude with general admission tickets priced at just $10.